Pollutant content in marine debris and characterization by thermal decomposition

M.E. Iñiguez, J.A. Conesa, A. Fullana, Pollutant content in marine
debris and characterization by thermal decomposition, Marine Pollution
Bulletin, Volume 117, Issues 1–2, 15 April 2017, Pages 359-365, ISSN
0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.022.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301376)
Abstract: Abstract
Marine debris (MDs) produces a wide variety of negative environmental,
economic, safety, health and cultural impacts. Most marine litter has a
very low decomposition rate (plastics), leading to a gradual
accumulation in the coastal and marine environment. Characterization of
the MDs has been done in terms of their pollutant content: PAHs, ClBzs,
ClPhs, BrPhs, PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The results show that MDs is not a very
contaminated waste. Also, thermal decomposition of MDs materials has
been studied in a thermobalance at different atmospheres and heating
rates. Below 400–500 K, the atmosphere does not affect the thermal
degradation of the mentioned waste. However, at temperatures between 500
and 800 K the presence of oxygen accelerates the decomposition. Also, a
kinetic model is proposed for the combustion of the MDs, and the
decomposition is compared with that of their main constituents, i.e.,
polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), nylon and
polyethylene-terephthalate (PET).
Keywords: Marine debris; Pollutants; Kinetic; Combustion; Decomposition

Pollutant content in marine debris and characterization by thermal decomposition